Head of Talent Acquisition | Financial Services

Job Requisition ID: 177657 

Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and healthcare; employing more than 35,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, Al-Futtaim Group partners with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands. Al-Futtaim Group’s entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enables the organisation to continue to grow and expand; responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate. 

By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration and integrity; Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers each and every day.

Role Purpose 

Accountable for setting and delivering a future‑ready, Talent Acquisition strategy that enables the Financial Services division to scale sustainably, compliantly, and competitively. Operating as a strategic advisor to senior leadership, shaping workforce strategy, talent architecture, and market positioning across regulated financial entities. The incumbent will lead the TA agenda end‑to‑end, driving innovation, governance, and excellence in hiring delivery, while building strong internal capability and external market reputation.

Key Accountabilities

1. Talent Acquisition Strategy & Workforce Planning

• Define and execute a multi‑year Talent Acquisition strategy aligned to the Financial Services growth agenda, regulatory obligations, and digital ambitions.
• Partner with HR and business leadership on workforce planning, capability mapping, and succession pipelines for critical roles.
• Provide strategic insights on market availability, talent risks, and hiring feasibility to inform business decisions.
• Drive employer value proposition (EVP) and talent branding initiatives tailored to regulated financial services talent segments.
  
  

2. Executive & Critical Hiring Governance

• Own the end‑to‑end executive and critical hire agenda, including role scoping, search strategy, assessment rigor, and selection governance.
• Act as a trusted advisor to leaders on organizational design, role clarity, and external benchmarking.
• Establish strong governance for regulated roles, ensuring alignment with compliance, fit‑and‑proper requirements, and internal policies.
  
  

3. TA Operating Model, Innovation & Digital Enablement

• Design and continuously evolve a scalable TA operating model that balances in‑house capability with strategic partners.
• Drive the adoption of AI, automation, and advanced analytics to improve hiring quality, speed, and decision‑making.
• Translate data into insights for leadership.
  
  

4. Leadership, Capability Building & Culture

• Build and lead a high‑performing Talent Acquisition leadership team, focused on strategic impact rather than transactional delivery.
• Set clear performance expectations, develop future TA leaders, and embed a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Foster strong collaboration across HR COEs and business leadership.
  
  

5. External Partnerships & Market Positioning

• Represent the organization externally as a senior TA leader within the financial services talent market.
• Monitor market trends in regulation, digital banking, fintech, and emerging skills to proactively shape hiring strategy. 
  
  

Required Skills to be successful

• Enterprise and systems thinking
• Executive stakeholder influence
• Strong commercial and market acumen
• Data‑driven strategic decision‑making
• High integrity, governance mindset, and professional credibility
  
  

What equips you for the role

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s or advanced HR/Leadership certifications preferred.
• 12-15+ years in Talent Acquisition, with significant experience in Financial Services or regulated environments.
• Proven leadership at senior / enterprise level, managing complex stakeholder groups and critical hiring agendas.
• Demonstrated experience designing TA strategies, operating models, and scaling hiring in growth or transformation contexts.
  
  

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Before you click “apply”: Please read the job description carefully to ensure you can confidently demonstrate why this opportunity is right for you and take the time to put together a well-crafted and personalised CV to further boost your visibility. Our global Talent Acquisition team members are all assigned to specific businesses to ensure that we make the best matches between talent and opportunities. We not only consider the requisite compatibility of skills and behaviours, but also how candidates align with our Values of Respect, Integrity, Collaboration, and Excellence.

As part of our candidate experience promise, we also want to make ourselves available to you throughout the application process. We make every effort to review and respond to every application.